WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The legislation was largely supported by the Republican majority in the state’s Senate, USA Today reported.
The vote on the bill was held after two mass shootings took place in the states of Nevada and Texas. Both incident occurred in public places and led to significant loss of life.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof said on Wednesday it would not be insensitive to bring up the issue now. Meekhof argued that lawmakers should allow "well-trained, licensed concealed-pistol holders" to respond to attackers.
On Sunday, gunman Devin Kelley opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, killing at least 26 people and wounding 20 others. The attack came about a month after another gunman opened fire on concert-goers in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500 others. The two shootings are among the deadliest in the United States in the past 70 years.
The Second Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the right of Americans to keep and bear arms.
